: Air Force officials broke ground July 1 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, on a new $36 million project to expand the facilities of the Air Force Research Lab’s sensors directorate. The Dayton Daily News reported July 1 that the project, which is due for completion in April 2011, will add offices, labs, and a testing range to the existing sensors directorate building. It is part of the effort to consolidate sensors directorate work at Wright-Patterson by moving about 100 research positions to the Ohio base from Rome, N.Y., and Hanscom AFB, Mass. Butt Construction is the lead contractor. Overall, Wright-Patterson is undergoing about $332 million in construction projects as about 1,200 research positions transfer to the base per BRAC 2005, according to the newspaper. For example, the Air Force is constructing a 680,000 square-foot complex at the base to house it human effectiveness research under one roof.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.